THE STORY OF JESUS: Leviticus 11-15
“You must keep the Israelites separate from things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place, which is among them.” (Leviticus 15:31)
These chapters contain the purity laws, distinguishing between ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’.
The laws are put in a religious context but they also seem to have a hygienic value.
I remember growing up we had our own purity laws in the home.
Hand-washing and tooth-brushing were not options, they were moral directives from our parents.
They were daily rituals that were strongly enforced, to keep our home from being defiled.
Having become an adult, I am no longer under these laws, but I still observe them.
I see these purity laws in Leviticus as regulations for the infant nation of Israel.
They protected Israel from disease, they kept the community healthy.
When Jesus comes, His focus is not on physical health but spiritual health.
His focus is on how sin makes us unclean spiritually, and that this is the real issue for us.
“For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)” (Mark 7:19)
Hygiene rules still matter, but this is not what Jesus is concerned about.
We should exercise the same diligence for spiritual health as we do for physical health.
“Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.” (1 Timothy 5:22)
Are your aware of the ‘unclean’ dangers in your spiritual life?
Are you putting yourself at risk by what you read, or watch, or do with your time or money?
Is the Enemy finding ways to pollute your heart or mind with unhelpful, unholy influences?
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, there are so many ways that we can pollute our hearts and minds. We need Your Spirit to cleanse us but also to help us stay clean. Help me stay clean today!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
There were many rules for healthy living with the Israelites. These rules were necessary because they had just left Egypt land, and also because in their new found freedom they needed regulations on what was healthy for daily living. We still need rules for our food intake today for healthy living. What we eat has great effect on our physical being. There are rules for healthy living.
And
there are rules for our living in the presence of our living God.
God gives His people strength – in all areas of life – in our daily living – living in His presence in all we do. Rules of life in His presence.
How do I stay clean today in His presence?
I must remember that He is always present in all that I do and say. All that I am must be in His service. All of me in His service and that is only a possibility if I dress myself each day anew with the armour of God so that I can produce the fruit of the Spirit. In this way I too am clean but only through the blood of Jesus Who put all things right/clean.
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into your hands
For it’s only in your will that I am free
For it’s only in your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be